Why must people rave about this, so? It was fun! The action was great! David Fincer's direction was stunning! Then, why did I feel so unsatisfied. The surprise seemed tacked on and not as groundbreaking as people said it was. Maybe, I should just read the book.
I agree with you. After about the first half hour, I was totally underwhelmed by it. It seem that the movie has a plethora of fanboys who swear by it, but I just don't get it. The "twist" was absolute rubbish.
Posts: 28 | Location: Virginia | Registered: 15 May 2004
I dunno I thought certain scenes were phenomenal as stand-alone scenes but together they were rather mish-mash-y (?). I think this was because of the not-so subtle transition from live-action to CG.
I'm not sure that I'm in the proper mood to discuss this now but I'll scratch the surface. First off, the movie got very average reviews when it came out and made almost nothing, at least in the U.S. I didn't even bother to see it in the theatre since the previews didn't look that interesting. But when I rented the DVD, it was clear to me that the movie was far more complex than anything that I had read or seen about it. I will agree with you that if you just read a plot of all the things that "happen" in the movie that it might not sound so great, but the "plot" basically has nothing to do with my enjoyment of the film. Hell, I don't even care about the so-called twist. If it makes or ruins the movie for you, then I agree, you didn't get it or may just be too literal-minded. The movie is both a satire and a heartfelt excuse for an entire segment/ generation of people who have nothing to latch onto but other people/ things/ reasons for existence. The imagery of Fincher is so succint, while remaining highly-stylized and personal, that this movie should be required study for any film school classes. The script is deep and hilarious (often in very dark ways), even if you don't accept some of the later plot "contrivances." My only possible problem with it is that it may have inspired 9/11, but then I guess that I'd better add that this is a very "visionary" film for many more reasons and not just because it predicted devastating terrorist acts on our soil. I'll shut up now, but I thought this thread should at least have one voice of (in)sanity.
"Naked Woman, Naked Man Where did you get that nice sun tan?"
Posts: 12874 | Location: Behind the Orange Curtain | Registered: 14 May 2004
Oh I "got" the movie. My un-excited-ness came from the glowing hype that surrounded the film thanks to my circle of friends. I know that is an outside circumstance, but it did affect my viewing, and I guess the film just didnt live up to what everyone said it was.
Hype has killed many a movie for me! I try to go into movies with low expectations now. I avoided Fight Club due to the hype and then watched a good two years later when I didn't care about it anymore and was richly rewarded! I enjoyed the movie quite a lot and while I don't think it was one of the best of the decade as I have seen some others post on this site, I do think it is a very good movie.
"If it were beneficial, their father would produce children already circumcised from their mother. Rather, the true circumcision in spirit has become profitable in every respect." -Jesus, from the Gospel Of Thomas
Fight Club was a damn cool movie and it was in fact a subject of study in my film classes. It's not so much the twist that impresses me, but the acting and witty script as "mark f" already pointed out. It was comic, dramatic, original, and performed/shot with such great style. Basically, the style of the movie is what makes it so appealing. Just like Guy Ritchie films. They aren't the wittiest (thought they are pretty damn witty) of movies but they're made with so much flare that you can't deny the ammount of entertainment that they provide.
K-Dog
Posts: 196 | Location: Purgatory | Registered: 04 June 2004
Maybe a re-viewing of it after I begin to forget about what my friends have said will alter my opinion. Hopefully. Because, everything before the ending I liked (for the most part).
Fight Club is fantastic, even though I hate Edward Norton. My only real issue with it is the pacing seems to really go off the rails in the second half and its dark grittiness means I have to be in the right mood to watch it.
Posts: 335 | Location: Sydney, Australia | Registered: 14 May 2004
Eccentro - definitely read the book - the movie is so strong because of the plot, pacing, characters and dialogue, but the book does it better in every way. it makes a lot more sense and feels more cohesive. check out his others, too - "invisible monsters" and "survivor" are two of Palahniuk's strongest, including "fight club".
Posts: 222 | Location: DC | Registered: 07 July 2004
I agree ... read the book. I loved the movie, but didn't watch it until after I had read the book. I think it works as a movie precisely because it was based on such a strong story.
There's a definite suspension of belief involved for sure and when I first began to read the book, I thought I wouldn't enjoy it because I'm generally not a big fan of nihilistic philosophies and was like, "Oh great another story about men not being happy with society and so wanting to destroy it ... yippee" but I think the ultimate message is one I agree with.
I enjoy the movie because I think it did a great job of translating the book and although I tend to find Brad Pitt very annoying, I think he did a great job with the role, and Helena Bonham Carter was fantastic.
I also think it's a movie that needs to be watched at least twice, if you don't go into it knowing the plot, because it actually gains from a viewing where you know exactly what's going on the whole time.
